New Wine in Old Bottles, a Different Princess, the Same Method of Persuasion

Ryugu Palace, banquet hall.

Princess Otohime had changed into a formal gown embroidered with goldfish patterns. Her long golden hair was impeccably arranged, but the bloodshot veins in her eyes and the exhaustion she could not hide gave her away.

Having just survived an assassination attempt and forcibly suppressed the chaos in the square, even with the Observation Haki that naturally moved people's hearts, she had already drained herself completely.

At her side stood King Neptune, also dressed formally, along with the three princes and youngest princess of the Ryugu Kingdom.

Shark, Coral, and Megalodon—the three princes were respectively shark, ribbonfish, and sunfish Merfolk. They were broad-shouldered and rough-featured. Judging by their looks alone, no one would think they were the biological children of the handsome Neptune and gentle, beautiful Otohime. Anyone unaware of the truth might have thought they had wandered over from Old Wang next door.

But on Fish-Man Island, this was perfectly normal.

When Fish-Men and Merfolk married, their children could randomly be male, female, Fish-Men, or Merfolk. The species of fish they belonged to was determined by the genes of their ancestors hidden within them over generations and had nothing to do with their parents' fish species.

That was precisely why Neptune, a coelacanth Merfolk, and Otohime, a goldfish Merfolk, could have four children belonging to entirely different fish species.

Such things were commonplace on Fish-Man Island. There would never be scenes like land-dwellers grabbing knives to confront their neighbors.

And hiding behind Neptune, with only half her little face showing, was Shirahoshi, the six-year-old giant red snapper Merfolk princess. The little girl was adorably delicate, her watery eyes timid, her long lashes fluttering like tiny fans. Clinging to Neptune's arm, she radiated soft, lovable sweetness, inheriting her mother's gentleness and charm.

The family had gathered